The Foreign Service Academy of Sierra Leone has concluded a successful training for newly appointed Defense Attaches ahead of their overseas postings.
The diplomatic training seeks to enhance the capacity of the appointees in the areas of diplomacy, protocol, conventions, and treaties relating to Sierra Leone’s overseas missions.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the Academy, Ambassador Sulay Daramy congratulated the Defense Attaches for their appointments while admonishing them to work in line with the interest of the country – a key element of Sierra Leone’s Foreign Policy Objectives.
“As Defense Attaches, you are going in a high capacity to represent our national interest. Whatever you do in your postings must be in the interest of showcasing, promoting, and defending our country’s national interest,” he said.
Ambassador Daramy noted that the diplomatic training was meant to complement whatever knowledge they might have acquired since diplomatic assignments are completely different from other disciplines.
“Diplomatic training backed by military experience brings effectiveness in maintaining the security interest of the country. One of the core functions of this Academy is to train whoever is appointed to represent Sierra Leone in diplomatic protocols. You don’t have the time to learn those protocols in your postings but to implement them in a professional standard,” he said.
Representing the Chief of Defense Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Chief Of Staff, Major General C F Marrah, thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Foreign Service Academy for empowering the appointed Defense Attaches as they prepared to take up new responsibilities.
“The RSLAF is well aware that those fine gentlemen that I have worked with for over two decades are in a position to make the nation proud. They are well experienced in Defense and other areas and the additional diplomatic training from the FSA will serve as an added advantage,” he said.
Lecturing Sierra Leone’s Foreign Policies and Constitutional provisions, the Director of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed S. Conteh Esq, said that Defense Attaches must be knowledgeable on the country’s governance and security for effective representation.
Director Conteh Esq. admonished the Defense Attaches to know Sierra Leone’s regional and continental interests and to always detect when such interests are under a potential threat.
From the Directorate of Strategic Communications.
